Veterans

Our veterans made the greatest sacrifice– serving our country and putting their lives on the line to defend freedom. We must make sure our veterans receive the care and resources they deserve throughout their lives."
- Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger

New! The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new mentoring program to help veteran-owned small businesses become more competitive in the marketplace. Mentoring firms will be teamed up with protege businesses for help in a variety of areas. Twenty businesses have been selected to start the program. The VA plans to select more in August and every 6 months thereafter. Click here for more information.

New! The U.S. Department of Defense has introduced a re-designed and enhanced National Resource Directory for veterans. This website is a great one-stop-shop for services provided to our dedicated Service Members, Wounded Warriors, and Veterans as well as their families and caregivers.

 

Congressman Ruppersberger helped pass the landmark Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act to care for our service members and those that care for them. The bill:

  • Offers veterans’ caregivers training, financial support, health care and 24-hour respite care in the veteran’s home;
  • Provides women warriors with critical health care and child care benefits;
  • Investigates the tragically high suicide rate among veterans;
  • Expands treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injuries.

Congressman Ruppersberger fights for funding for veterans benefits, contributing to a 58% increase in veterans funding since 2007.

  • He voted for 2010 funding legislation that creates new community-based medical clinics for veterans and their families, invests in medical and prosthetic research, hires 1,200 new claims processors to reduce the benefits backlog and improves trainee barracks, National Guard and Reserve facilities as well as military family housing.
  • He voted to expand medical research on traumatic brain injury and secured millions for research and treatment of the injured based on his lifelong relationship with Baltimore’s world-renowned Shock Trauma Center.
  • He helped secure $950 million in the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” to help stem the huge backlog of repairs needed at veterans’ medical facilities.

Congressman Ruppersberger believes veterans are entitled to basic quality-of-life services.

  • He opposes increases in TRICARE fees and supports tax deductions for supplemental premiums and enrollment fees
  • He voted to reduce the so-called “widow’s tax” that affects surviving spouses.
  • He voted in favor of the “new” Post 9/11 G.I. bill that expands education benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
  • He helped secure $50 million for veterans’ cemeteries.
  • He assisted more than 500 veterans in the district access their benefits.
  • He started “Operation Hero Miles,” allowing citizens to donate their frequent flyer miles so that troops returning home from overseas can fly for free.